Harvey Weinstein Scandal: The A-List Celebrities Speaking Out and More

In the years since the allegations against Bill Cosby, insiders have begun to call out more of Hollywood’s elite. The latest scandal to hit the press involves Harvey Weinstein, a prominent executive and founder of The Weinstein Company.

Much like with Cosby, Weinstein’s misogyny has been an “open secret” in the industry for ages. Here’s what we know so far, and which A-list celebrities are speaking out.

Ashley Judd shares her experience

Ashley Judd | Duane Prokop/Getty Images for Muhammad Ali Center

In a thorough investigative report, Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey of The New York Times detailed the accounts of several women who call out instances of sexual harassment from Weinstein. The report refers back to an incident with actress Ashley Judd that took place 20 years ago, as well as many more recent encounters.

Also included in the report was a statement from Weinstein. It read, “I appreciate the way I’ve behaved with colleagues in the past has caused a lot of pain, and I sincerely apologize for it. Though I’m trying to do better, I know I have a long way to go.”

Other women come forward

Yeah. This happenedluckily I didn't need a job or favor from him + didn't have to be polite. Others did. Keep that in mind. https://t.co/mXs2RIU5kU

It wasn’t just famous actresses who Weinstein made advances toward. The report cites the accounts of multiple former employees of The Weinstein Co., including Emily Nestor and Lauren O’Connor, the latter of whom wrote a detailed memo regarding the executive’s behavior.

Most of these stories did not include much minutia. However, HuffPost reported the next day the very lurid details of an incident that took place 10 years ago. Lauren Sivan, then a local news anchor in New York, described how Weinstein cornered her in the kitchen of his restaurant, Cafe Socialista. He tried to kiss her and then proceeded to masturbate in front of her.

Lisa Bloom resigns

I have resigned as an advisor to Harvey Weinstein.My understanding is that Mr. Weinstein and his board are moving toward an agreement.

Weinstein’s attorney, Lisa Bloom, also gave a quote for the report. She told The New York Times that her client was “an old dinosaur learning new ways.”

What many have found upsetting is that Bloom has, in the past, taken the side of the victim when it comes to sexual harassment allegations. As of Oct. 7, 2017, Bloom has resigned as Weinstein’s legal counsel.

Weinstein gets fired

Harvey Weinstein in 2017 | Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

On Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Weinstein had been fired as co-chairman of The Weinstein Co. “In light of new information about misconduct by Harvey Weinstein that has emerged in the past few days, the directors of The Weinstein Company have determined, and have informed Harvey Weinstein, that his employment with The Weinstein Company is terminated, effective immediately,” read a statement from the board.

At the meeting in which this was put into place, Weinstein was allegedly offered a settlement, which he turned down. He has been unreachable for comment since.

Celebrities chiming in

Women are fighting against the 'Grab Them By The Pussy' normalization & speaking up. Its never easy to be the first to go on record #Respecthttps://t.co/PKu19hEpd6

Aside from Judd and Rose McGowan, another actress who settled with Weinstein many years ago, several A-listers have taken to social media to share their thoughts on the media mogul’s actions. Oscar nominees, such as Jessica Chastain and Mark Ruffalo, are among those speaking out against Weinstein.

Brie Larson, who won an Academy Award for her performance as a survivor of sexual assault in Room, tweeted a series of hopeful messages to others who have suffered. And John Oliver addressed Weinstein’s own “infuriating” response to the scandal, saying his “excuse isn’t an excuse.”

Meryl Streep also speaks out

Meryl Streep | Paul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

As an actress who has worked with Weinstein and his company on numerous projects, Meryl Streep chose to speak out. She released a statement to the Huffington Post.

Streep called Weinstein’s behavior “inexcusable,” but confirmed that she did not know about his actions or his reputation. She put the onus on the media to get the information out there.

But other A-listers could be implicated

Matt Damon | Niklas Halle’n/AFP/Getty Images

While so many big names clearly look down upon Weinstein, apparently there are others who have been accessories in the past. Sharon Waxman, founder of The Wrap, wrote about her own experiences at The New York Times and the research she did into Weinstein’s misconduct more than a decade ago.

Waxman wrote that her story was scrapped “after intense pressure from Weinstein.” Matt Damon and Russell Crowe allegedly applied some of this pressure, vouching for Weinstein directly to Waxman.